39 minutes ago, proton said:

Indians are flocking to Pattaya though, for fat girls it seems

 

 

 

Was Justin Trudeau there?

It looks like the decline is being felt in CNX. Went to Chiang Ram Health Check Up center last week for an annual medical exam. It was a Tuesday morning  and I was the only one getting a exam. I was done in 45 minutes (blood work, X-Ray, ECG and see the Dr.) I got done so fast the cashier was not in yet.  In the past this center was packed even iin August. 

The body, of this post, is exactly the same BS we've heard so often, seriously, do they intend to target nations like India, and Russia, and China, we seen how "successful" that's been...they simply don't understand what tourists want, the only thing acknowledged was the high baht.

    33 million is still plenty.  In 2010 when I moved to Thailand the figure was around 16 million.  33 million is more than double that.  Plenty.

2 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

They have much better, unless you think sleaze...

 

Certainly true.

Tomorrow the headline will be tourist arrivals up by [pick a percent]😁

21 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Add Malaysia and Japan as major competitors... Malaysia will soon have more international visitors than Thailand, despite not having the likes of Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, etc.

Japan😱 Stay off the weed my friend

On 9/2/2025 at 10:18 AM, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

Thailand's revered tourism sector is experiencing a noticeable downturn this year, with foreign tourist arrivals slipping by 7.16% up to the end of August, compared with the same timeframe in 2022. The Tourism Ministry unveiled this challenging situation on Tuesday, 2nd September.

 

During this period, the nation welcomed 21.9 million international visitors. China, traditionally a robust partner in tourism, continues to be the largest source, contributing a significant 3.1 million tourists.

 

Despite these figures, there is a cloud of diminished expectations over the industry. In a recalibration of its projections, the state planning agency last month adjusted its forecast for foreign arrivals this year to 33 million from a previously anticipated 37 million. This revision is set against the backdrop of nearly 40 million arrivals in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year that marked a golden era for Thai tourism.

 

The current trend reflects broader global challenges facing the travel industry. Economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are factors contributing to this decline. As a nation heavily reliant on tourism, contributing around 11% of its GDP, Thailand is particularly vulnerable to such fluctuations.

 

Thailand's lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and famed hospitality have traditionally drawn millions from across the globe, establishing the country as a top destination in Southeast Asia. However, the dip in numbers presents challenges that extend beyond mere figures. Businesses, especially those in hospitality and related services, are feeling the strain as the anticipated influx of tourists has not materialised, leading to implications for employment and local economies.

 

To counter this trend, the Thai government is actively seeking measures to revive interest in the Kingdom. There's been a notable push on diverse fronts, including marketing strategies aimed at untapped markets and initiatives to enhance tourist experiences with sustainable and community-based tourism.

 

Moreover, the sector is exploring innovations and strategies to ensure Thailand remains appealing amidst growing global competition. Collaborations with international travel agencies and airlines are being fortified to restore confidence and convenience for potential tourists.

 

One area showing promise is the burgeoning interest in medical and wellness tourism. Thailand's reputation for affordable and high-quality healthcare services serves as a unique selling point, attracting visitors looking for health-related travel options.

 

The currency exchange is also an important consideration for tourists, and despite ongoing fluctuations, the Thai Baht remains relatively stable. The current economic environment presents an opportunity for more cost-effective travelling, which is being communicated to potential visitors worldwide.

 

As the year progresses towards its close, industry stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic. Efforts continue to stimulate recovery and fortify Thailand’s standing as a must-visit destination. The challenges are formidable, yet the resilience and innovative spirit of this sector provide hope that Thailand will once again rise as a tourism powerhouse.

 

In conclusion, while current numbers may not yet mirror the record pre-pandemic highs, Thailand's commitment to revitalising its tourism industry remains unwavering. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these strategies will succeed in restoring confidence and enticing more visitors to discover the wonders of Thailand.

 

As travellers contemplate their next journey, the promise of Thailand's rich tapestry of experiences stands as a compelling invitation.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-09-02

 

Wow 😱 2 weeks ago THE 🤡’s at TAT (should be TIT) said record numbers arriving. 🤷🏼

10 hours ago, proton said:

Indians are flocking to Pattaya though, for fat girls it seems

 

 

Sounds like a broke disgruntled backpacker 🤣

On 9/2/2025 at 10:50 PM, proton said:

 

50k for the LTR might be considered a scam

10 years @ $150 a year is not a scam

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSSGrsHJvlF0GdlQ2zaFWQuVHhKbsP2MunckRnMSpphotKC57JVZFF5B9RoxAWKFPI8C2o&usqp=CAU

According to the authorities tourist numbers for the year are up or down depending on which week you are referring to, when are you people going to do some accurate responsible reporting instead of all the BS about chinese numbers, we have been hearing this since Covid for gods sake!!

I firmly believe you should forget about trying to attract the masses and concentrate on the spenders. The high roller Chinese go elsewhere mostly so its only the chinese budget spenders that end up here along with the Indians, both get preferential hotel rates yet spend the least so you dont have to be a rocket scientist to work out whats best! Stop your love affair with China and the Indians are not going to save your tourist industry so wisen up!!

 

11 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

According to the authorities tourist numbers for the year are up or down depending on which week you are referring to, when are you people going to do some accurate responsible reporting instead of all the BS about chinese numbers, we have been hearing this since Covid for gods sake!!

I firmly believe you should forget about trying to attract the masses and concentrate on the spenders. The high roller Chinese go elsewhere mostly so its only the chinese budget spenders that end up here along with the Indians, both get preferential hotel rates yet spend the least so you dont have to be a rocket scientist to work out whats best! Stop your love affair with China and the Indians are not going to save your tourist industry so wisen up!!

 

    Guess I need to post this once again.  In 2019, over 60% of the Chinese tourists to Thailand were independent travelers, not in budget tour groups.  Google says it's now around 80%, and now spending a little over 50,000 baht each.  So, you're incorrect with your notion that it's only Chinese 'budget spenders' coming here.

    If I am remembering correctly, Chinese tourists to Thailand in 2019 spent around 46,000 baht per tourist.  Western tourists spent around 65,000 baht per tourist in 2019, so Chinese spending per tourist was, indeed, less than western tourists.  

    However, in 2019 there were 11 million Chinese tourists.  That same year, there were only about 1 million British tourists.  So, once again, if you are Thailand, do you want 11 million Chinese tourists contributing 46,000 baht each to the Thai economy or do you want 1 million British tourists spending 65,000 baht each?   And, once again, the correct answer is you want both, as a diverse tourist demographic is good. 

   But, it's a numbers game and if you're Thailand you want the Chinese more.  11 million  X 46,000 baht vs. 1 million  X 65,000 baht.  Pretty easy to see why China is important.  And, it is such a big, still rather untapped market, and nearby, vs. the British and other western markets. 

This is not a hard one to work out why:

Firstly, Thailand's nationist agenda has basically turned many people off, both tourists and expats, from everywhere.

Secondly, the baht is far too over-valued and people aren't getting their bang-for-their-buck anymore... but you are in other ASEAN countries. 

Thirdly, the immigration nonsense and all the hoops that everyone now has to do just makes it a hassle to travel to here.

Fourthly, there's still a huge scam, safety, and over-pricing problem here.

Fifth, the friendly vibe and welcoming locals feeling has waned... everyone is simply focused on money, but I suppose that could be said of everywhere now.

Sixth, many tourists from most countries don't want to be in a milling mass of Indians and Russians.

 

It's not that people aren't traveling, it's that they are voting with their feet and pockets. Thailand has done this to itself, and one of the main drivers of this economic loss is the government of the last two years and the xenophobic nationalist politicians and conservatives. You reap what you sow, I'm afraid. 

Nobody in CM last Friday evening,

La Casita mex rest, just me and my pal

Moat house bar, nobody on ground floor, 3 tables in use on the rooftop bar.

 

Never seen the town so empty, except during COVID.

On 9/2/2025 at 11:18 AM, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's revered tourism sector is experiencing a noticeable downturn this year, with foreign tourist arrivals slipping by 7.16% up to the end of August, compared with the same timeframe in 2022. The Tourism Ministry unveiled this challenging situation on Tuesday, 2nd September.

 

I wonder why the Tourism Ministry publishes this comparison with three years ago. Why not with last year? 

 

Weird.

On 9/3/2025 at 5:01 AM, LOS1 said:

I think It's all about the baht. Stupid they hang on to this overvalued money.

 

What other money should Thailand use, if not the Baht?

On 9/3/2025 at 8:14 AM, findlay13 said:

Tomorrow the headline will be tourist arrivals up by [pick a percent]😁

 

Today's headline is about a passenger surge.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1372475-thailand-airports-soar-with-expansion-plans-amid-passenger-surge/

 

On 9/2/2025 at 8:52 PM, shdmn said:

The same old "the tourist numbers are down" nonsense that comes out every year during low season.  Only to be quickly forgotten during high season when Thailand is too busy fleecing them.  Then the stories pivot to "long lines at airport immigration" or whatever the usual high season nonsense is that they regurgitate every year.

medical   tourism, it costs more here for a knee replacement than NZ

Then if you add the overpriced BHAT and airfares its simply not true.

On 9/8/2025 at 5:42 PM, newnative said:

    Guess I need to post this once again.  In 2019, over 60% of the Chinese tourists to Thailand were independent travelers, not in budget tour groups.  Google says it's now around 80%, and now spending a little over 50,000 baht each.  So, you're incorrect with your notion that it's only Chinese 'budget spenders' coming here.

    If I am remembering correctly, Chinese tourists to Thailand in 2019 spent around 46,000 baht per tourist.  Western tourists spent around 65,000 baht per tourist in 2019, so Chinese spending per tourist was, indeed, less than western tourists.  

    However, in 2019 there were 11 million Chinese tourists.  That same year, there were only about 1 million British tourists.  So, once again, if you are Thailand, do you want 11 million Chinese tourists contributing 46,000 baht each to the Thai economy or do you want 1 million British tourists spending 65,000 baht each?   And, once again, the correct answer is you want both, as a diverse tourist demographic is good. 

   But, it's a numbers game and if you're Thailand you want the Chinese more.  11 million  X 46,000 baht vs. 1 million  X 65,000 baht.  Pretty easy to see why China is important.  And, it is such a big, still rather untapped market, and nearby, vs. the British and other western markets. 

You can quote numbers from past years and yes, prior to Covid we had a lot more middle class chinese but that was then and not now. Due to the Chinese economy we no longer get the ok spending chinese here, its the budget groups that get discounted hotels like the Indians and these discounts dont get offered to other demographics.  These 2 countries are unsustainable for the Thai tourist industry going forward. I am in the industry and have first hand experience on who spends and who doesnt!

1 hour ago, paul1804 said:

You can quote numbers from past years and yes, prior to Covid we had a lot more middle class chinese but that was then and not now. Due to the Chinese economy we no longer get the ok spending chinese here, its the budget groups that get discounted hotels like the Indians and these discounts dont get offered to other demographics.  These 2 countries are unsustainable for the Thai tourist industry going forward. I am in the industry and have first hand experience on who spends and who doesnt!

     Your comments aren't backed up by a single statistic.   Here is what I found.   Chinese tourists numbers are down for 2025 but China is still the largest and most valuable market, although so far this year it is rather neck and neck with Malaysia.  Google says the average Chinese tourist is spending 52,000 baht in 2025 in Thailand, vs. 22,000 to 28,000 baht for each Malaysian tourist. 

    And, once again, independent Chinese travelers are in the big majority, not those in budget tour groups.  According to the Bangkok Post, for the first 7 months of 2025, only 398,000 Chinese were in tour groups to Thailand.  You and others keep stressing budget Chinese tour groups as a big negative for Thailand but the tour groups are in the minority--and by quite a bit in 2025.

     Back to China and Malaysia.  Although the arrival numbers are close, a Chinese tourist is more valuable to Thailand than a Malaysian tourist, spending around 52,000 baht each vs. 22 to 28,000 baht per Malaysian.   Understandable since a number of Malaysian visits are one or two day border crossings. 

     While the numbers are down, China still sent 2.2 million visitors to Thailand by mid-year.  It's false to say, as you do, that Thailand 'no longer gets the ok spending chinese here', since they're  spending almost double what the Malaysian tourist spends.  How is that not 'ok'?

     And, once again, although Chinese spending is not as much as the average western tourist, would you rather have 2.2 million Chinese give you 52,000 baht each or 572,000 British tourists give you 82,000 baht each?  (82,000 baht is Google's estimate of western spending per tourist in 2025 and 572,000 is the UK mid-year 2025 tourist count.)   i know which I'd choose.

18 hours ago, newnative said:

     Your comments aren't backed up by a single statistic.   Here is what I found.   Chinese tourists numbers are down for 2025 but China is still the largest and most valuable market, although so far this year it is rather neck and neck with Malaysia.  Google says the average Chinese tourist is spending 52,000 baht in 2025 in Thailand, vs. 22,000 to 28,000 baht for each Malaysian tourist. 

    And, once again, independent Chinese travelers are in the big majority, not those in budget tour groups.  According to the Bangkok Post, for the first 7 months of 2025, only 398,000 Chinese were in tour groups to Thailand.  You and others keep stressing budget Chinese tour groups as a big negative for Thailand but the tour groups are in the minority--and by quite a bit in 2025.

     Back to China and Malaysia.  Although the arrival numbers are close, a Chinese tourist is more valuable to Thailand than a Malaysian tourist, spending around 52,000 baht each vs. 22 to 28,000 baht per Malaysian.   Understandable since a number of Malaysian visits are one or two day border crossings. 

     While the numbers are down, China still sent 2.2 million visitors to Thailand by mid-year.  It's false to say, as you do, that Thailand 'no longer gets the ok spending chinese here', since they're  spending almost double what the Malaysian tourist spends.  How is that not 'ok'?

     And, once again, although Chinese spending is not as much as the average western tourist, would you rather have 2.2 million Chinese give you 52,000 baht each or 572,000 British tourists give you 82,000 baht each?  (82,000 baht is Google's estimate of western spending per tourist in 2025 and 572,000 is the UK mid-year 2025 tourist count.)   i know which I'd choose.

Every day we read many things which so often are not the reality but it makes many comfortable or believing what they read to be better informed. Like I said I am in the industry and have first hand knowledge of how it really is, in discussions with colleagues and other industry partners we all form a similar conclusion. Statistics are only as accurate as the information source and we know that tourist details in Thailand are constantly manipulated. You believe what you are comfortable with!

1 hour ago, paul1804 said:

Every day we read many things which so often are not the reality but it makes many comfortable or believing what they read to be better informed. Like I said I am in the industry and have first hand knowledge of how it really is, in discussions with colleagues and other industry partners we all form a similar conclusion. Statistics are only as accurate as the information source and we know that tourist details in Thailand are constantly manipulated. You believe what you are comfortable with!

       It's not what I am 'comfortable with', nor what I 'believe', it's just looking at actual data that comes up when I google it.   Again, you have provided no data in support of your 'reality'.  I welcome your numbers that show google's numbers to be false. 

      Google tells me US homes this year are selling for an average price of $512,800 to $522,200 and a median price of $410,800 to $426,600.  And, like the Thaiand tourist numbers, each of those numbers has nothing to do with whether I am 'comfortable' with the number, 'believe' the number, or whether the number fits my reality.  If I have a US house and it only sells for $300,000 this year, does that make the google average and median numbers incorrect, since my reality is different?

      I'm curious, though, as to which 2025 google tourist numbers you find faulty.  2.2 million Chinese tourists mid-year?  Too low, too high?  572,000 UK tourists mid-year?  Again, too low or too high for your reality?  How about spending per tourist.  52,000 baht for Chinese and 82,000 baht for western.  Too high or low?

     I, myself, am not finding anything glaringly off in the numbers, compared to previous years.  2019 Chinese spending was around 46,000 baht each vs. 52,000 baht for this year.  52,000 baht doesn't really jump out as being wrong in comparison to 2019 but what are your thoughts?  82,000 baht for western tourists vs. I think around 65,000 baht in 2019.   A bigger spending difference than the Chinese vs. 2019 but, again, it still seems in the ballpark and isn't raising any red flags for me.  Just 398,000 Chinese in tour groups so far this year--too low or too high?  Bangkok Post citing incorrect data?  What number do you have for that group, instead?

    I originally responded to your post because you stated that Thailand, quote, 'no longer gets the ok spending Chinese here.'   I'm still waiting for any actual data that shows what year or years Thailand was getting these 'ok spending Chinese' and how much were they spending at that time vs. what they are spending now. 

    By the way, Google tells me average Chinese tourist spending 2010 to 2018 was 30,000 to 40,000 baht so apparently your 'ok Chinese spending tourists' were coming sometime before 2010.  Remember, 2019 was 46,000 baht so can't be that year either, since that is also less than this year's 52,000 baht.   So, not 2019.  Not 2010 to 2018.   Seems like we're running out of years for when Thailand got these 'ok' tourists.

    I think, try as you might, available data shows exactly the opposite of what you are claiming.  To wit:  Chinese are 1. spending more now than in 2010 to 2019 but coming in smaller numbers and, 2. traveling independently in even larger numbers than in 2019.  So, this year, we are getting fewer Chinese tourists but they are spending slightly more than in previous years and many more are traveling independently this year, rather than in supposedly budget tour groups.   I should think you would be happy with those figures.